James Winkler is the General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, a wing of the United Methodist Church that expresses the social and political concerns of the UMC national leadership. As a previous interview with Mark Tooley of UM Action stated, the GBCS is sometimes criticized by conservative Methodists as expressing only a liberal point of view.
I am, frankly, disappointed with the brevity of Mr. Winkler's responses, but I suppose that he is a busy man, and the blogosphere is decidely new media, and Locusts & Honey is a blog with rather small readership. Nevertheless, through this interview, we can learn of the thoughts and opinions of a major figure in the UMC national leadership to current issues.
1. Prominent Methodist blogger Beth Quick is a member of the GBCS. Please describe her accomplishments on the board.
Beth is a wonderful board member and chairs our Communications Committee this quadrennium.
2. How do you respond to charges by conservative Methodists, such as UM Action, that the GBCS divides United Methodists by taking partisan political stances?
I don't think these charges have validity.
3. In the wake of the recent Rev. Beth Stroud court decision, what are the priorites of the GBCS as annual conferences seek definitions of "homosexual practice"?
GBCS does not deal with clergy ordination.
4. How to you respond to conservative Methodists who call for schism?
The same way I respond to such talk from liberal Methodists--I think it is unnecessary and shameful.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
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5 comments:
Hi John - thanks for interviewing Jim, even if his responses were more brief than hoped for. I'm still reeling from being called a "Prominent Methodist Blogger" - thanks! ;)
John -- Thanks for your hard blogging work. The interviews, roundups, and profiles are informative and represent valuable contributions to the medium. I think you have mischaracterized this post, however: "Attempted interview" would be more fitting. You've been dissed.
i too wish we had received more expanded responses. and beth, prominent is well deserved.
Jim Winkler doesn't speak for me, and I resent his using the United Methodist platform to promote his liberal agenda. This is why many members of the UMC are looking elsewhere for their spiritual home. They do not want their contributions aiding and abetting the liberal agenda.
Janju in TX
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